Collimation Bolt Problems - Help!

[shaneaust (Mick)]

While cleaning the primary on my 10" dob (which was removed from its cell), the springs that go with the large collimation bolts came off and I am durned if I can figure out how to get them back on again! These are the springs that the primary sits on inside the cell - but they just pop out when I try to fit the mirror onto them again...

Help??!! Is there a telescope doctor in the house??!

[davewaldo]

I believe the springs sit around the colimation bolts. So you remove the bolts and then slide in the spring then screw the bolt up through the spring to where it inserts into the mirror cell.

Hope this helps.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

while you're at it, you might as well replace the springs with stronger ones. they are only just adequate for the 8". too weak to properly support the mirror on the 10" GSO.

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Yep, the spring goes around the collimation bolt.

I have recently replaced my springs in the 8" with the stronger ones from Bintel and now my scope REALLY holds collimation. Well worth the effort.